10 Things Nobody Tells you about being an Actor in TV Commercials
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- Tv commercials or telly ads! We all watch them and enjoy some but did you know many have a higher budget for advertising their product or service than for feature films and pay the actors better than big tv shows on Netflix and HBO.
Today I share some aspects of being an unknown jobbing actor and expose some secrets. It’s a very shallow industry full of cattle calls and endless castings with other actors and actresses who look weirdly like you! So Do you want to an actor? Really?
These are some of the reasons I left the industry and am so thankful to still be able to be creative here on TH-cam thanks to my channel members and patrons! 🥰🥰🥰
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So glad I'm out of that industry and so fortunate to have a community that let me be creative on my own terms.
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Me too☘☺!
Some sponsors want famous people for official endorsements. But most don't want to risk associating their brand with big celebrities who may wind up in controversy. Like a Twitter comment that goes against what their brand stands for. AFLAC fired Gilbert Gottfried as the voice of their mascot duck character for his comments on Twitter. So many companies prefer unknowns as representatives
Did ED try for commercial work that required scary people?
I especially enjoy episodes where Diane is talking about stuff she really knows about such as this one.
me too
The sister of a girl I've been friends with since first 1st grade has become a huge icon in commercials here. She has played the same character in over 100 national commercials over the last 15 years. She is an amazing comedian and actor, and wanted to stop years back because she wanted to do other things and didn't want to be denied roles because that character was so recognizable. But they offered her a lot to keep going, and she is married with kids, so she took it. Those commercials have treated well. The whole family are the nicest people and I couldn't be happier for them.
That sounds like the actress in the AT&T commercials, that's what anyone who sees her will think of now that she's been doing the commercials for 10 years.
If she's Flo, the Progressive woman, she's terrific. I love when she plays all of the characters in one commercial - so funny.
@@Overhill_Farm She is.
Sounds like Flo! Glad she is treated well
Flo is Progressive insurance. AT&T is Lily, short with dark hair.
I lived in Florida in the late eighties. I met a guy who was a local actor. He thought he was great looking! Many said he looked like a blond Tom Cruise. He appeared in many local commercials for restaurants, car dealerships, tourist attractions, etc. playing a different guy in each. His mother worked at local TV affiliate that were looking for someone to do weekend sports. He knew absolutely NOTHING about sports! He was hired because of his looks. I remember his mis-pronunciation of star athletes names,especially foreign players. He was finally let go when he said over a live mic coming back from commercial “ golf is so stupid “. …said this in Florida!…luv the channel
My brother is one of those behind-the-scenes people, a storyboard artist, who's worked on both major films and commercials. My sister's daughter is a lead location scout. For both, commercials definitely pay a lot of the bills, especially during the height of the pandemic when many big productions shut down.
My sister has done a few background characters in a few movies and behind the scenes stuff on a dozen.
Diane,
You are 100% correct. That industry does not play fair.
Some sponsors want famous people for official endorsements. But most don't want to risk associating their brand with celebrities who may wind up in controversy. So they want unknowns represented.
The most acting I ever did was being a contestant on Nickelodeon’s Weinerville one time in the early 90’s
Nice!!
@@DianeJennings I even won the Golden Weiner (a plastic hotdog nailed to a block of wood spray painted gold. Lol
No slime?
@@lawrencedavis9246 yeah as the winner I got slimed.
On a casual basis I've done (and still on the books) both TV extra work and crew work here in NZ and everything you said is TRUE! There are good people, both famous and unknown, and prima donnas, (mostly famous). As an extra you have to look they way they want, if you don't, you're not selected. If you can't commit to their schedule, don't accept the job. I was on one job once when some old guy (an extra) told the 2nd AD that he needed to be finished by midday. He was told to f - off and the agent was told to never send him back, they DON'T mess around!
Totally recommend community theater. It's fun, off hours, and you can be collaborative. No money exchanged, but everyone tends to have great fun. Truly life changing. It actually convinced me to get contact lenses and dye my hair blonde...both of which were important for later in my life.
Thats so cool! I did some. It was very fun
There is some money in Community theater. Typically the producer(s), director, musical director, choreographer (if any) and possibly the stage manager will get paid but not very much. Much depends on the show, the venue, local considerations in those decisions. Cast are usually the last paid. In some cities there is either a professional non-equity scene or an equity (union scene). Deciding when to join one of the unions is an enormous decision because usually once you are on, you have a very hard time getting approval to do non-union stuff.
Generally joining AEA means signing on to a gypsyish lifestyle but it can be so worth it.
I did TV commercials on CBS for a couple years. They arrived to tape on Wednesday and it played Saturday 11AM. These were 30 minute infomercials and may be outside so I had to look on Weather Channel to see the Saturday weather so I dressed to give the appearance of 'live'. I never used a script and never did a retake, not even once. I did goof up sometimes and said some things that were dry and went right over viewer's heads but just kept on taping. Out of camera view were others that constantly would make faces or just do something stupid and there were times I did almost breakup but never did a retake. The CBS crew always liked these because they could set up, roll the cameras and be gone within 45 minutes.
Wait, is this CBS’s Bob Wallace? Did Jim Mulqueeny do any of your camera work?
Wow, that was a real eye opener. I am now retired, but during my career I worked in a number of different industries. During this time, for the sake of my own sanity I found it was a good idea, where possible to avoid super stressful situations. TV advsertising seems to be nothing but pure stress. Good move to get out. No amount of money is worth having to go through that!!
I forgot to hit like, and dangit, i fell in a lake! Sorry Diane! Anyway, great insights. Thanks!
This is an algorithm pleasing comment because the subject matter is not for me but I still want to support the channel!
The experience I've had, a long time ago, with tv was a kids show. My friends were on camera and I wanted to be in the production area. My family was involved with theater both community and professional. And knew people in television production with 3 different Chicago network stations. Also had friends that did local commercials, mainly automobile dealers. It is a different world.
Stay safe. Take care. Have fun. 😎
Happy Friday Diane! You're one of the most creative people that I have seen here on TH-cam. Don't ever let anyone else tell you otherwise. You're very beautiful as well. Thanks always for your channel and for all that you do! Have a great weekend and be well! All the best to you always! 😎👍
Thank you so much!
@@DianeJennings You're very welcome Diane! A day without you on TH-cam is like a day without sunshine! 😊♥️
Happy Friday, Diane
As someone that lives close to LA, California and being 'off-and-on' involved with the entertainment industry directly and through friends. I can agree with most of your points on the commercial side. However, in USA there is AFTRA. This helps a little to keep some regulations in place and avoid taking advantage of child and young actors and other commercial actors, to some extent. Depending on type of commercial, there CAN be royalties or buyouts. Yes, it can be a shallow and bigoted industry along with modeling and music industries.
About 'fake people', these exist across ALL facets of business, sports, entertainment, service, education, legal, medical, and other work fields. People that JUST care about making the money not caring how good the product or service is. Power, fame, looks, and money (at the top of this list) are the MOST important drivers of the outcome.
My only question to you is: Does Ireland or Europe (as a whole) have a union similar and with the same clout as AFTRA in the US?
Again, very informative and good topic for vlog. Have a great weekend and just remember how smart, talented, and remarkable person you are!!😀😇😇😁
The movie Blazing Saddles always had cattle instead of extras in the backgrounds to poke fun at the whole "cattle call" thing. In 1974. It's been around for a long time, it seems...
2:00 Dang! I'm considering daily whether or not the lake is frozen well enough for me to take my puppies onto it. Now I'm thinking I might just wait another week...or three...lol
Happy Friday Diane! I like my current job. I tried to be a professional masseuse once, but I rubbed too many people the wrong way.
Oh no! 😂
Bu’dum-ching
Maybe the hot rocks weren't supposed to be warmed up in the oven.
This whole video made me hope that you might have a video containing clips of your TV/commercial work -- or at least links to them
Every time I hear stories of this type, it is almost never first person. I'm glad you shed some light on your acting and the challenge of auditioning. Michael Keaton said that he treated it as a job. Many thanks.
7:24 Idk, you might make a Mohawk look good... 🤔👍😃
I thought this would be boring, but it was very very interesting. I like it a lot.
Interesting to hear that commercials no longer pay royalties. I once saw an interview with the actor Bruce Weitz. He told how, prior to being cast in "Hill Street Blues." he was cast in a commercial for a shaving razor. The ad basically ran during every network football and baseball broadcast for a whole year. Despite having no lines Weitz received royalty payments for the whole year. That allowed him to stay in Hollywood while looking for acting gigs.
(For those who are curious, in the commercial Weitz sat in a chair in his undershirt while another actor used a pen to mark the saving "tough spots" on his face.)
I have often wondered how certain people thought they could get jobs in the entertainment industry because they just don't seem to fit the mold of "perfect people", and yet- there they are. I'm always bewildered and yet happy for them. What a soul crushing profession. Thanks for finding your way thru it.
I’m so glad! I found people with “characterful” faces did pretty well in TV and films in Ireland.
@@DianeJennings ARE THEY KIDDING?
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL
THEY'RE SNORTING TOO PEAT MOSS OVER THERE!!!
THIS INDUSTRY IS MENTALL SICK
well change that when Editor Diane takes over......
and I still offer myself as a concubine
WOW Thanks for sharing it was very interesting this in-depth look into making commercials
One of my friends works as an extra on tv shows and movies, and he rarely has any negative experiences, other than the length of the shooting day.
I was told once that "the camera likes you " for me it was too, you know, mechanical for any long term relationship.
SAG/AFTRA still pays residuals, they just have other options now as well.
Example of a big name, in the 70's popular ad for UK Hovis Bread was a boy pushing a bike up the hill. The director was Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise amongst others).
It wasn't for a commercial, but I basically got cast in a short film based on how I looked. I'd just finished something where I had to have fairly long hair and a beard. This was for a medieval film and I was auditioning for "the Baron". They wanted a current picture so I sent one from the thing I'd just finished (and told them that I could shave and cut my hair if they wanted), and the director told me later that she and the scriptwriter were looking at pictures, saw mine, and said "Oh, God. I hope he can _act._ " I must have done well enough, because I got the gig. They'd looked at about a dozen people who'd submitted pictures, and I was on the shortlist before I opened my mouth. I always figure that if I didn't get the part, it just wasn't right for me. It's really a hobby for me, so it's not like not getting a job means I can't keep the power on.
They don't do a lot of commercials here in Central California, but there's a surprisingly active film industry. Which is just as well-there aren't a lot of commercials where they want to cast a heavy-set guy in his late 50s. But if you need someone to play a burned-out drunk or a retired astronaut, that's right in my wheelhouse.
Nice one for talking about this stuff, good on you! K
That was really cool, never knew any of this.
Diane, if I fell into a lake, I'd die, as I come with action wheels (power chair). I feel called out.... :P
Damn you telling me I could fall in the lake as I'm driving over the lake.
That really does explain why the people in commercials all look "too good" especially the beer commercials. No one that drinks that much beer will have 6 pack abs for long. Well, they will have 6 pack abs, just not the muscular ones.
Glad you have gone on to a more interesting profession. You always pick me up. Thanks
I wish you'd have put clips of your commercials in this video!! 😊
I wanna see...live accross the pond😔
The curse is to the point. We have lakes here in town. It's been a (relatively) warm December and January. The ice is not thick enough. Do not walk on the lakes. Do not drive on the lakes!
You are fearsome!
:)
The only commercials I'll watch are the ones with Diane and/or Chewie. So I don't see many ads.
you need to try to post some of the commercials or anything else on camera that you've been involved in in the past. i know alot of yer followers would love to see it.
Diane, glad your not making commercial anymore because I love your “independent” Halloween horror flicks.
The commercial industry seems like it’s insane and I would imagine the frustration and burnout must be huge. There has got to be better ways to make money.
Cool video Diane! Always neat when you talk about your acting experience.
Diane used to be an actor in her previous life
But the casting process was full of strife
People were treated like cattle, so she said “I’m done”
Now she makes TH-cam videos which is a lot more fun
Hooray! I want that one in a frame on my wall!
You're much appreciated here, Diane. Screw the industry and their bullshit.
Woohoo!!
Wow, that's so surprizing, I thought that "talent" was treated better on TV ads. Is it different from the UK or Ireland and Canada, and the US, and the EU? Especially interestingis from some ads that are so well done, or really humourous.
Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.
Many, many years ago I was cast in a couple commercials for a local but nationally known 2-year technical school. I was a little older than the other students and had some gray at the temples. They said I 'looked authoritative'. I got grabbed just walking down a hallway. Both ads actually aired.
Shallow casting is something I understand & suspected. They need a certain type and are not in business to spare your feelings or make you feel good. So actually I don't fault them for that. One thing I never thought of but I knew you had done commercials . . . Which commercials have you done? Many moons ago I was told I should do voice over. I never pursued it but I probably should have just to see what it was like. Told I'm a cross between Eric Meyers & Sam Elliot. Which I doubt but is flattering.
That was fun. First time in the live chat for me. I really do think Chewie would be a hit for dog food commercials. He's got the looks for it. Diane, would you be able to put together a reel of your commercials and put them up on the channel here? Would be fun to see!
I think so too! That’s a good idea… I definitely don’t think I could track them all down but I’ll see what I can find
@@DianeJennings that WOULD be fun!
(I arrived late to this party.) I never had any interest in acting, but this review was interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Today's unofficial US holiday is National Chocolate Cake Day.
I don't have any acting ability, but I did have my leg in a cast once.
Dammit! I just fell in the lake! HOW DID YOU KNOW?!?
Tt seems the commercial world of Ireland and Canada are quite similar except most of the casting is done in NYC
Do you have a reel video showing all of your work? Would like to see that.
The movie " The Producers " will tell you why there is no profit to share.
The acting work is different in the states. People that do theater acting get a cut of the sales of that day and with about 4 shows a day it’s a lot of money. It’s spelled out in a contract you sign. Commercial acting you get a fixed salary on a job. For stunts you get a certain amount. Actors in movies get a certain amount via producers and it’s literally spelled out. You also get a cut via box office sales. You also go through a studio as you get paid a certain amount for what you are doing.
Acting is cut throat here but only if you don’t pass auditions. Usually people have a job during auditions so they can support themselves somewhat.
The industry in the states had to be like this due to massive government regulations on pay and compensation. Actors and the entire crew follows the government mandates to be safe and getting paid fairly. Stunt performers are under osha guidelines meaning they are safe and are controlled during their stunts.
Everything is highly regulated here.
So like a stunt says to do a shootout facing backwards on a motorcycle the production company would do a motorcycle stunt facing forwards to comply with safety regulations but the entire backwards facing part would be on a stationary motorcycle in front of a green screen of course with a movable platform to simulate turning or dodging. Then the footage would be edited and placed on the film as needed. It’s part of the safety regulations that really changed the industry. Unfortunately it’s stemming from the twilight zone movie tragedy that claimed three lives as a helicopter accidentally clipped some power lines and dropped onto a director and two children who were on set. That incident really changed how we handle stunts. The pay thing was from several court case that the industry endured after actors sued saying they didn’t get the money they were owed. Now the entire industry has a percentage system that a job gets a certain percentage of the movie or whatever’s budget plus a certain amount of earnings from the box office. Same with theaters.
Sorry I missed the premier, but was out with my Friday clan whom I've not seen in 4 weeks since our favorite pub closed after 25 years...haven't found a new roost yet. You're a bright star in my heavenly vista, Diane. Cailín Álainn Croí agus Anam! 💚☘ Slàinte Mhath
Girl if I had a student TV commercial I would definitely put you in there. You have this natural amazing personality that would just come out. When you are advertising you need a truth and a genuine personality. People buy stuff that they Trust. You seem like a very trustworthy person. I would 100% but you in a commercial
So, I am commenting cause I don't want to fall in a lake! It's January!
Excellent insights…thanks, Diane.
I spent years working the tech side of things, and I was always glad I did not have to go through what the actors had to endure. Of the hundreds them I worked around, I dont think any of them ever got to the point where that is what they ever did as a full time job. I am still friends with one guy who may be getting close. 😁 How much sunscreen did you go through in the Bahamas? 🌞
Happy Friday! I really love this video. Have a good weekend.
Thank you! You too!
My son was an extra in a movie with Sienna Miller and Christina Hendricks. Just a one time experience, but he had fun.
I wonder why this is a reason when Jim Henson said he was happy to be out of the world of advertising. He did some ads for a coffee brand that no longer exists. The minute he got work elsewhere he was happy to no longer be doing commercials with his puppets.
Me? I did do a coffee ad but I can’t find it anywhere now. How did you know that?
@@DianeJennings Pardon my grammar, apparently my microphone did not pick that I meant he. I fixed it now lol
It would be fun to see a few clips of commercials with Diane. Would that fall under fair use under copyright law?
Heck of a thumbnail for this video.
I saw Chewy on Dateline playing a serial killer.
Another Brilliant Vid Diane!!! Chewie will always be a star!
Keep up the great work and please stay safe!
Excelsior!
Thank you! You too! ⚔️
Can you post any of your commercials, or a link of where we can see.
Diane, have ya ever wanted to do ad parodies? Chewie in a commercial for real Irish dog food for real Irish dogs? You could find a dachshund making a cameo with a comment: "It might be food for Irish dogs, but I like it too!"
About the "big butt"...listen to Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-lot...
I went to my first audition and everything went great until they asked me to smile... my 2 front teeth where still dark/old caps from a biking fall when I was 10. no surprise, but like you said we often think if they like us they will ask you to do something or make an exception.
I’m actually glad I didn’t go into acting as I am really good at it, but way too fat for them. Anyway, I have seen way too much of what happened to kids who were acting at my age and I think my weight turned out to be a blessing.
I liked being an actor too but getting enough gigs was too much of a hassle, even here in "Hollywood North" (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) or with the connections I had with the Shaw Festival (yes there is a George B. Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the Lake, Ontario) or with the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford Ontario.
"casting call" aka "cattle call".😁 My but that brings back memories.
Most of my portfolio was either is movies of on stage no TV. I quit because I "didn't like the 'starving artist diet'".
Working as a technician helped paid the bills and allowed me to find alternative employment in a different field.
I’m not sure of the rules for commercials anymore in the US, the big distinction was between local commercials and National commercials with national commercials being paid a lot better. I did two local commercials, a training film, and a student film along with about 50 plays, only a few of which were paying. However, one of the local commercials got so much airplay I got recognized for doing that which was fun.
Reputation means a lot in the arts, you get a reputation for being easy to work with, always on time, and enough experience that can mean a lot.
Because of my health I just can’t work which is frustrating but who knows, science marches on.
I do know a number of working actors in Chicago and they all have side hustles of one kind or another. Some of them a freakishly busy to stay acting and that’s a huge thing. At least Chicago is a city in which there is a ton of work.
I’m glad you’re not in that industry any longer and that you’re doing what you love. Keep up the great job and hope you have a great weekend! ❤️U☘️🇮🇪🇺🇸
I appreciate that! I’m glad too ❤
I thought it would be cool to have my friends hear me do a radio spot saying why I listened to that station. I read the lines twice over the phone. No studio or anything else. It was played every couple of hours for about a month. I actually got a couple people to wait for the spot to come on and got to say that's me. I got a $25 "prize" card and a cassette tape of my spot.
I always thought I would be a perfect body double for Jennifer Aniston... but since I'm 6' tall, 245 lbs, and have lots of facial hair, most people disagree.
Do Mel Brook’s Movies!!! History of the World or Blazing Saddles.
I like all your videos and movies. the shiniest Diamonds are sometimes hidden in the coal. I am glad you can make your own videos on your own terms here on TH-cam and patreon. I learned a lot from your acting in the entertainment industry today. Thanks for the premiere making the weekend joyful. make sure to treat yourself and chewie to some fun weekend vibes. 🌟📽📺🍿🥤🍀
Glad you like them! Thank you so much Rickey!
@@DianeJennings I like them, you and chewie! 🥰🥳Your Welcome, Diane!
Hi Diane and Chewie. I loved this video. Could you do a video showcasing your commercials? Years ago I was working at a hotel in Florida, there was a film crew staying there producing commercials for Quincy's Steak House, I got to know some of the people and one day half in jest I mentioned I did a play in high school, (I was in my early 20s at the time) and said if you need actors I'm available. A day later, I was approached and offered a part. I was so excited, I called my mom to tell her. She replied "you too?" I asked what she meant, she told me that my sister was approached at a baseball game. Long story short, my involvement was two hours on location at a theater exterior for two hours. Her's was seven hours in the restaurant overnight. We both got paid $100.
So smart.
I'm fat, I don't have a face that would stop a clock but I don't think of myself as being handsome and I was in a KFC commercial. I had lines and I was in the forefront not some fat dude in the back. Yeah, it's a terrible business. I have noticed in the last 5 years things have changed, there are a lot of unattractive actors in TV shows and a lot of full figured actors. The industry is changing, slowly.
Not every actor is hot, That takes talent. Some people were born beautiful and others are just good
What? We get clips of Chewies work, but not your own?
I actually work in commercials in LA, but I'm a production Assistant. Usually the production/camera truck driver, so I'm on the complete opposite side of things, and tend not to get too involved with your side of things.
I don't know how things work in Ireland, but from my perspective the interesting dynamic I see is with client/agency. For those that don't know, the client is the company whose product or service you're doing the commercial for. They hire an advertising agency to create an advertising campaign for them, and the agency hires the production company to actually make the commercial, and the production company hires basically everyone else to do so, including me at the bottom of the totem pole. So, I have an interest in keeping happy whomever it is in the production company that hires me, and they whomever hires them. The production company has an inherent desire to pamper the agency and client so that they can get rehired for the next gig by the agency, and that the agency can get rehired by the client who is ultimately the one that supplies all of our paychecks. It's usually interesting seeing the politics of how that all plays out in reality all the way up and down the line really, but sometimes specifically with client/agency who ultimately are the ones that everything else teeters on. Sometimes they can be divas, but even if they aren't, production will always feel the impetus to treat them as if they were.
I use to hear stories about how in the 80s into the 90s they used to throw all kinds of crazy money into commercials to the extent of Michael Jackson with his hair on fire, among other things that could never happen today. Now though, the market is so inflated with people that want the job compared to the number of actual jobs available, and everyone is trying to under bid each other. So, the result is lower and lower budgets, but unfortunately, the production companies' expectations of what they can supply, and the clients/agencies expectations of what they can get for their money hasn't kept up accordingly. Which can be a very interesting thing in how it applies to all kinds of aspects of the process and their overall ramifications.
These are only minute examples from my experience of the implications of that, but maybe applicable to the bigger picture. For example, I once had a guy tell me a story about how he got a call for a super low budget gig where production talked him into a lower rate for his work and gear, and then on set he saw that they'd also bought cases of very expensive champagne at the celebrity talent's request. In the middle of shooting, he saw that, and then packed up his gear, that was being used and was necessary to shooting on top of his personal services, both of which were not quickly or economically replaceable, and he just left.
It's not always as dire as that, but depending on which end of the stick you're on, it can sometimes seem so ridiculous. I was once on a job where they sent me out for Starbucks for client/agency. Not an unusual thing, but there were a lot of them. So, I went and got orders for the half of them there at the time. When I got back, the other half had arrived and wanted some as well, so I went and got their orders. When I came back with them enough time had passed that the first half had finished their first round and thought they should have a second round. When I came back with their second round, the second half obviously thought it fair that they get a second round too. That's another thing. You have to remember that there's also a dynamic of among both client and agency, they both have their own internal work politics at play. I went to the same nearby Starbucks four times within an hour, maybe an hour and a half with multiple orders. They were very nice, but every time I came through the door, even they found it more comical, and look. They're essentially footing the bill and employing everyone involved, so with in a realistic expectation they should feel as that they're getting their money's worth, and that they're being treated as anyone would want to be treated for doing so, but depending on how much money that is, you do get what you pay for.
(I'm assuming at this point that I've gone on so long that I need to break it up, so END OF PART ONE)
So, today…..! ❤️
I think it's reasonable to look for attractive people for ads, and not overweight. People want to look at attractive people.
Dia dhuit Diane. Y Buenas tardes a los dos. Great to be here EARLY for a change.
Conas ata tu? ❤
Ta me go hientac.
The inflated egos of actors in general has always killed me. Glad you got out of that world!
Not all. It’s the egos of the people in the power positions that are more shocking.
11:00 Maybe the poor behavior is caused, at least partially, by the point you made earlier, the point that these actors for commercials have yet to be "weeded out" by the processes of being selected, doing higher level work and thus getting selected to higher levels, and so on. Or maybe not; idk. I'm just throwing it out there.
Got caught in shot twice in TV commercials 1st time a Milky Bar Ad. The Newsagents was kept open during the shoot a quiet suburban village one. I was a kid just paying the paper bill for Mum and buying a chocolate bar from the 1/6d I was allowed to keep. A Cadbury Bournville bar. Probably why that shot ended on the cutting room floor. Nestles as was before forced to change name to Nestlé wouldn't have approved. Met the then Milky Bar Kid though. I was 7 at the time he was about 9. The 2nd was pushing a trolley around a Bejam supermarket in the late 70's whilst doing a shop that brief shot stayed in the Ad. Bejam was a small regional chain with a very small Ad budget using the staff and customers at the time. Was asked for permission to use shot after but no payment.
Always love trying to guess who the voiceover actor/actress is in Ads some have very recognisable voices.
It's important to find the right job for you. You might find yourself on an unlikely path to get to the right place for you in life.
Enjoyed the insight intro the acting world.
🎉
Wow one time you said chewie had a pretty good cv, I thought you were joking but he actually does!
Better than mine! More exclusive
Love your classic Diane hair, though
So basically 'Steptoe' [ Wilfrid Brambell ] from the 70's british tv series wouldn't be a good candidate for skin or tooth care products? lol
Any comments about the trend to have realistic actors in some commercials?
Do Ireland or Spain have famous recurring characters in commercials?
In the U.S. there is a stand-up comic who hit it big as an apron-wearing character for an insurance company.
There is an also character who plays a receptionist for a car dealership.
Articles have been written about how well some of them get paid.
There are so many more people who want to act than there are roles for them that the people in charge can get away with treating actors like ^$%*&#^@. A lot of the stuff you describe here couldn't happen in an industry where there's no labor surplus.
There was a guy named Sedelmaier who did TV commercials in the U.S. for FedEx, Alaska Airlines, Wendy's, and a few other companies. He used a lot of ordinary-looking people in his ads (many of which were very funny, BTW). Clara Peller, the "Where's the Beef!" lady, became famous for her Wendy's commercials. This sort of thing is uncommon, unfortunately.
That’s cool yes the problem is there’s always somebody prepared to be treated worse to get the part
You left out how long a commercial can take to film and how boring it can be. I've been in a few commercials.
The worst one was being filmed in late afternoon on a Friday, in an indoor location with a lot of west facing windows with thin curtains closed over said windows. Every few minutes they had to readjust all the production lighting because the sun moved. After so many lighting changes they said we'd have to try it the next morning before the sun was on that side of the building. So, there went my plans for the next day.
I went in the next morning, early, and then we had camera problems. So, we waited there for a few hours until the camera replacement arrived and was setup. At least they provided breakfast...coffee and donuts (I've often wondered why the commercial people provide things like donuts and yogurt when they want their people to be slim. lol)
It was around noon before they finally said we had a good take.
So, yeah, commercials can take a long time to make. And it can be boring and exhausting.